Spot the difference

Mr Jantjie's actions at the memorial service, during which he translated eulogies from world leaders including United States president Barack Obama, attracted criticism on social media and from the deaf community, prompting a government investigation.

Cara Loening, director of Sign Language Education and Development in Cape Town, labelled him a "complete fraud" whose signing looked like someone "trying to swat a few flies away from his face and his head".

Asked why he did not leave the stage, Mr Jantjie said given the historic importance of the event he felt compelled to stay, even though he could not hear or concentrate properly.

Anyone who doesn't understand this illness will think that I'm just making this up.

Thamasanqa Jantjie

"Life is unfair. This illness is unfair," he said.

"Anyone who doesn't understand this illness will think that I'm just making this up."

The speeches at the memorial, attended by almost 100 sitting and former heads of state or government, were supposed to be interpreted into sign language for deaf viewers.

But Mr Jantjie's signing appeared at odds with that of the public broadcaster's signer, who was shown in a small insert box on SABC television screens.

Deaf Australia and the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association said they were "dismayed by the use of a person pretending to be a sign language interpreter".

"We are outraged that an unaccredited 'interpreter' was used and want to be clear that unaccredited interpreting damages communication for both hearing and deaf people," a statement read.

"While we believe that this situation highlights the need for public education about deaf people and the interpreting profession, we regret that this has shifted the focus of attention away from where it should be – on Nelson Mandela."

Government plays down security concerns

The government admitted Mr Jantjie was not a professional interpreter but played down security concerns at his sharing the podium with world leaders including Mr Obama.

"He was procured. He did not just rock up," deputy disabilities minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu told a news conference.

"Did a mistake happen? Yes. He became overwhelmed. He did not use the normal signs. We accept all that."

Mr Jantjie said he worked for a company called SA Interpreters, hired by the ruling ANC party.

Attempts to track down the company were unsuccessful.

Ms Bogopane-Zulu said its management had fled the glare of publicity, with the suggestion that it had been providing sub-standard interpreters for some time.

"We managed to get hold of them, and then we spoke to them wanting some answers and they vanished into thin air," she said.

"It's a clear indication that over the years they have managed to get away with this."

South Africa's Translators' Institute said it had called Mr Jantjie's competence into question before the memorial furore erupted.

It said they already had reservations about Mr Jantjie, who had previously signed at ANC party events, including its centenary anniversary last year.

The institute's chairman Johan Blaauw said there had been complaints about his work on those occasions as well, but the ruling party took no action.